Putin and Ahmadinejad: Two Amigos

Staff / Truthdig Oct 16, 2007 Continuing to broadcast a clear message of disapproval to the U.S. regarding its foreign policy and commercial interests abroad, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran on Tuesday to discuss Iran's nuclear program and to present a unified front against Washington's possible plans vis-à-vis Iran. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bush and Putin Still on the Outs

Staff / Truthdig Oct 13, 2007 George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin used to have a loving relationship, but the two have grown cold and distant in recent years. Bush blames Russia's deteriorating democratic process, while Putin is upset because the U.S. wants to build a missile shield on his doorstep. Bush's friend Condi stopped by Moscow to try to smooth things over, but it looks like it didn't go too well. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Putin Disbands Russian Gov’t

Staff / Truthdig Sep 12, 2007 President Vladimir Putin dissolved the Russian government in a move designed to clear out the upper levels of power before his expected exit from office in the spring. Among those ousted in Wednesday's Kremlin shakeup was Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, who may be replaced by his first deputy prime minister, Sergei Ivanov. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Russian Nuclear Bombers Fly Again

Staff / Truthdig Aug 18, 2007 Great -- along with the United States' ongoing (and escalating) international debacle in Iraq and Afghanistan, the current administration has clearly worked its particular brand of diplomatic charm on Russia. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country's air force is once again sending nuclear-equipped bombers on regular overseas patrols. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Gone Fishin’: Bush and Putin Try to Patch Things Up

Staff / Truthdig Jul 2, 2007 President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin once gazed into each other's eyes and each found a friend, but developments with a proposed missile defense shield, Iran and Kosovo have strained the relationship. So the two have scheduled some male-bonding time at the Bush family resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, where they'll try to relieve some of their tension by fishing. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.S. Sticks to Its Missiles in Eastern Europe

Staff / Truthdig Jun 15, 2007 Defense Secretary Robert Gates is shooting down a proposition from Russia to swap out the US's planned missile shield in Eastern Europe for a radar system in Azerbaijan, according to the Associated Press Meanwhile, ABC News reports that higher-ups from Russia's Energia Space Rocket Corp are concerned that U-originated equipment aboard the space station may have caused a "fatal flaw" in the works. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Fightin’ Words from Putin, Ahmadinejad

Staff / Truthdig Jun 3, 2007 Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) isn't showing any sign of softening up in his response to the U.S. government's plans to install an anti-missile shield in Europe. Meanwhile, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dramatically announced that Israel's days are numbered. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Arms Race Déjà Vu?

Staff / Truthdig May 30, 2007 Relations between the US and Russia may be strained by the Bush administration's planned implementation of an anti-missile shield in Eastern Europe Russian President Vladimir Putin had strong words for the U Tuesday as Kremlin officials proudly unveiled new missiles -- a month before Putin and President Bush will meet in Kennebunkport, Maine. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Litvinenko’s Suspected Killer Defiant

Staff / Truthdig May 23, 2007 After six months, a potential lead has emerged in the murder case of Russian expatriate Alexander Litvinenko (pictured), who died in England last November after allegedly being poisoned with radioactive polonium-210. However, the suspect, former KGB officer Andrei Lugovoi, denies that he had a hand in Litvinenko's death, according to the BBC. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Rice, Putin Trade Sharp Words

Staff / Truthdig May 11, 2007 Russian President Vladimir Putin, awaiting a visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, compared U foreign policy to that of the Nazis in the 1930s Meanwhile, Rice criticized Putin's administration for centralizing too much power at the Kremlin . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Putin Blasts Missile Shield Scheme

Staff / Truthdig Apr 26, 2007 Russian President Vladimir Putin took a moment during his final parliamentary address to make it eminently clear that he disapproves of a U.S. plan to create a missile shield in Eastern Europe, vowing to put a hold on Russian compliance with a key European military treaty in retaliation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Boris Yeltsin Dead at 76

Staff / Truthdig Apr 23, 2007 The Kremlin released word on Monday of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin's death, apparently of heart failure. Yeltsin leaves behind a complex legacy. He was instrumental in Russia's transformation from Soviet state to democracy, but, as Mikhail Gorbachev noted, Yeltsin also made some "serious errors." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )